From Africa to Abba, Lyndhurst Drama and Musical Society, Vernon Theatre (From Daily Echo)

From Africa to Abba, Lyndhurst Drama and Musical Society, Vernon Theatre

10:36am Tuesday 1st November 2011 in Curtain Call By Alan Johns

AS director and singer (and comedienne!) Terry Scott made some excellent song choices, starting brightly with the 21-strong company performing an African set, the feature being Malaika, sung in native Kiswahili. Unfortunately, it then became clear we were watching mega-karaoke, with the singers reading from lyric-sheets – surprising when the songs were well-known favourites.

An energetic Blues Brothers set kicked proceedings off after the interval, with Neville Green and Chris Blandford almost upstaged by young Caleb Brading-Ingram.

Maggie Ransom and Amanda Fordham joined Fiona Fairborne (impressive with her passionate version of Dylan’s recently-revived Make you feel my love), to perform a lively second-half set, before five Tottonians rugby players stole the show with their Full Monty routine.

An Abba sing-along ensured that a somewhat reticent crowd gave the performers a warm ovation as the final curtain fell. The singing was excellent, but variety was the spice of life the evening needed.